A new and improved identity interview: presenting the GIDS-L2

How can we measure both qualitative and quantitative aspects of identity? In this flashtalk I will present a new version of an old instrument that can do just this: the GIDS-L2 (van der Gaag et al., 2022). The strengths of the GIDS-L2 lie first of all in its ability to generate a unique combination of qualitative data (with interviews) and quantitative data (with questionnaires). The quantitative data allows us to both compare individuals to each other, but still uses the unique qualitative content of the individuals identity as its basis. Second, it provides a thorough overview of macro-level identity features, that is, patterns of identity actions, experiences and self-representations (De Ruiter & Gmelin, 2021) in different life-domains. Moreover, it is uniquely suited to measure various forms of integration that have been hard to capture empirically (Syed & McLean, 2016). Specifically, the GIDS allows us to capture both temporal integration (measured within each domain-specific interview) and contextual integration (measured as overarching commitments that integrate domain-specific commitments into one coherent whole). Finally, the instrument is firmly rooted in both classic and more recent theory on identity development (Bosma & Kunnen, 2001; Erikson, 1956; Marcia, 1966; Van der Gaag et al., 2020) and incorporates commonly used quantitative measurements of identity (Bosma, 1985; Crocetti et al., 2008; Luyckx et al., 2006; van der Gaag et al., 2016). In this talk I will briefly present the basic idea of the GIDS-L2, some initial results (including its internal consistency), and where to find the instrument.